New Zealand EV Market Flat In August 2023

Though the New Zealand automotive market rebounded in August with 18,000 gentle autos registered (examine that with Norway’s market of 11,000 and Australia’s 120,000), gross sales of battery electrical autos (BEVs) stay flat. If we embody all types of electrification, two in three autos had some type of electrical propulsion. A staggering 35% of the market was HEV (typical plugless hybrids), adopted by 32% petrol, 12% BEV, 11% PHEV, and eight% diesel. (Full particulars on EVdb.)

There was an enormous improve within the gross sales of HEVs in New Zealand over the previous 3 years, coming from about 8% of the market to 35% in 2023. As you’d count on, most of those are Toyotas. New Zealanders are in search of fuel-efficient choices. Even with authorities help, although, it seems that BEVs are nonetheless a bit too costly for the common NZ motorist. NZ imports used vehicles from Japan, which incorporates lots of Toyota HEVs and some Nissan LEAFs.

High Promoting Automobiles in New Zealand

The ten prime promoting BEVs in New Zealand in August 2023 had been:

1. BYD Atto 3 (131)
2. MG4 (96)
3. Tesla Mannequin Y (72)
4. MG ZS EV (72)
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E (53)
6. Kia Niro (51)
7. Volkswagen ID.4 (46)
8. Kia EV6 (34)
9. Tesla Mannequin 3 (32)
10. Hyundai Kona EV (22)

New EV house owners take supply of an MG4. Photograph courtesy of John Baldwin.

The MG4 has simply been launched to the New Zealand market and has landed like a lightning bolt, going straight to the rostrum. Combining the numbers for the MG ZS EV with the MG4 makes SAIC the #1 EV producer in New Zealand. Tesla is predicted to markedly improve its gross sales with refreshed “Highland” Mannequin 3 imports arriving from China which can be presupposed to be delivered in September. It seems that BYD is but to ship the Dolphin in NZ, whereas Nice Wall Motor offered 7 models of its ORA inexpensive automotive. I count on that the ORA and the Dolphin will see important gross sales numbers in coming months. BYD plans to ship the Dolphin this month.

Different manufacturers with small numbers embody: Mercedes offered a complete of 34 EQA, EQB, and EQE mixed; Peugeot offered 23 of its 208 and 2008 EVs; Polestar offered 20 models of the Polestar 2; Volvo offered 13 XC40s; Nissan offered 13 LEAFs; Audi offered 13 EVs; 12 electrical MINIs had been offered; Opel offered 8 Mokka EVs and 4 Corsa EVs; Fiat offered 4 models of its 500e and one Abarth. So, New Zealanders have lots of selection.

The highest 5 best-selling plug-in hybrid electrical autos in New Zealand in August had been:

1. Mitsubishi Outlander (261)
2. Mitsubishi Cross (144)
3. Kia Sorrento (131)
4. Ford Escape (49)
5. Mazda CX 60 (35)

These had been adopted by small numbers from a smattering of manufacturers: BMW, MG, Land Rover, Jeep, Volvo, and others.

As a comparability, the highest 5 HEV producers had been: Toyota (1,616), Ford (185), Honda (126), Hyundai (122), Lexus (76).

The highest 5 petrol automotive manufacturers had been: Kia (243), Suzuki (331), Mitsubishi (234), Mazda (195), Nissan (187). Is it Japan (HEV) vs China (BEV)?

What of the Future?

New Zealanders go to the polls to elect a brand new nationwide authorities on October 14. In accordance with latest polls, a right-leaning coalition is on monitor to win. It has beforehand pledged to dump New Zealand’s clear automotive low cost, which has been vastly profitable in driving the EV surge available in the market. With no extra motivation for automotive producers to cost their autos beneath the federal government threshold, some costs are anticipated to rise. Nevertheless, market watchers have identified that with the inflow of extra inexpensive autos (notably the GWM ORA, the MG4, and the BYD Dolphin), this won’t be a problem.

The New Zealand Nationwide Social gathering is making noise about increasing the charging community, however is sending blended messages about how this can work. Many New Zealanders have commented on Fb that it’s exhausting to imagine that the Nationals are dedicated to the proposal and whether or not they know what they’re doing. The not too long ago launched electrification coverage from the Nationals makes no point out of electrical autos in any respect.

“Round 20 per cent of New Zealand’s complete emissions come from transport, so embracing EVs is essential to delivering our local weather change commitments,” Nationwide Social gathering Chief Christopher Luxon stated. “Accelerating the rollout of EV infrastructure, from the 1,200 at present accessible to 10,000 in 2030, will give extra Kiwis the boldness to make the change to electrical.” Luxon introduced at the moment that the Nationals would make investments $257 million over 4 years. That is double Labour’s dedication. As an apart, Luxon’s spouse drives a Tesla.

Volkswagen New Zealand nationwide gross sales supervisor Jordan Haines believes that if the Nationwide Social gathering wins the final election and makes good on its election promise to dump the Clear Automobile Low cost rebate programme for electrical autos, costs on a few of the hottest electrical autos within the nation are more likely to go up. He shared his ideas on the launch of the ID.4 not too long ago. The ID.4 would have certified for the rebate.

The Clear Automobile Low cost scheme at present grants anybody shopping for an electrical automobile priced at $80,000 or underneath a $7,015 rebate. This has led to an enormous variety of electrical autos being priced at $79,990 ($47,390 USD).

The Nationals have been notably vital of NZ’s so known as “ute tax” when farmers and tradies would not have an electrical different. “The ute tax on high-emitting autos like utes and SUVs is used to fund the rebates for folks shopping for low- or zero-emissions autos. The result’s {that a} farmer shopping for a brand new ute is hit with tax of $5,175 and winds up subsidising a lawyer shopping for a Tesla and getting the utmost rebate of $8,625.”

Limitations to EV uptake in New Zealand nonetheless embody an absence of acceptable fashions, excessive costs, and shortage of high-speed chargers. A change of presidency could improve the variety of chargers, however it will likely be producers who can impression the selection of autos and pricing. With many electrical autos being imported as used from Japan, it may be troublesome to evaluate battery well being and due to this fact viability. Purchasers of used BEVs might want to educate themselves to ensure they’re getting what they’re paying for.

It’s attainable that there might be a surge in EV gross sales as a date is introduced for the withdrawal of presidency subsidies — as has occurred within the UK and EU. However, 2023 is monitoring to be much like 2022 in absolute numbers — 20,000 BEVs and 10,000 PHEVs are anticipated to be added to NZ roads by yr’s finish. As for 2024, because the mud settles after the election, folks will be capable of see clearly that new entry-level inexpensive EVs with higher vary have arrived. This could drive development within the new yr. Nonetheless ready for the utes, although.